Travel Restrictions Updates for the most up-to-date information on the requirements, processes, and restrictions for entering Thailand.
If you are considering a trip to Thailand, check out this post.
Thailand is preparing for a return to normalcy after months of stringent travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 outbreak, by reducing some travel restrictions and quarantine standards and allowing ordinary tourists to enter the country. Sandbox initiatives have been implemented by the government, allowing vaccinated travelers to enter the nation without being quarantined.
Travelers from all around the globe are eager to learn when and how they may visit Thailand in 2021. What are the most essential Thailand Travel Restrictions that tourists should be aware of before flying to the Land of Smiles? Here is some information that may be of use to you
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Travel To Thailand
UPDATE: Beginning November 1, 2021, passengers will be permitted to enter Thailand with our without quarantine depending on their vaccination status and place of origin.
Please see the following information:
1- No Quarantine for Low-Risk Countries
Travelers from the above Low-Risk Countries who are fully vaccinated are permitted to enter Thailand without being quarantined.
The following are the basic requirements:
Before flying, you must have been fully vaccinated for at least 14 days. Residing in the country of departure for at least 21 days; Must stay in a SHA+ hotel for at least one night while awaiting the results of the RT PCR COVID test performed upon arrival; must have COVID-19 insurance.
Fully vaccinated visitors from non-listed nations who visit Thailand are likewise exempt from required quarantine. They are required to enter Thailand via the Phuket Sandbox and Samui Plus Sandbox programs. Before they may go to other regions of Thailand, these visitors must stay for 7 nights at an approved SHA Plus Hotel in Phuket, Khao Lak, Krabi, Samui, Koh Phang Ngan, or Koh Tao.
UPDATE: Sandbox programs will be accessible to tourists from any country or territory beginning November 1, 2021, as long as they have the necessary Thai Visa, Visa on Arrival, or Visa Exemption. Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, and other popular tourist locations have all been included to the program.
International tourists who are unvaccinated or have not been completely vaccinated will be compelled to spend 10 days in a designated quarantine hotel in Bangkok, Phuket, or Samui before they may travel to other parts of Thailand.
Do I Need a Visa to Enter Thailand?
General tourists are not needed to get a Thai visa. Visitors from countries on the Visa Exemption List are no longer necessary to get a Thai visa in order to visit Thailand for tourist reasons as of December 2020. Foreigners will be permitted to remain in Thailand for 30 days by the Thai Immigration Bureau. Tourists will be able to apply for a 30-day visa extension at any Thai immigration office. The COVID-19 visa extension is valid for 60 days.
If you desire to remain longer in the country, please be aware that the standard 60-day Tourist Visa, Thai Elite Visa, and other non-immigrant visas are also available at Thai embassies and consulates worldwide. Holders of these visas must still apply for a certificate of entry at the Thai Embassy in their country of departure.
Do you wish to live in Thailand for 5,10 or 20 years?
You might look at the Thai Elite Visa program. It is a simple and painless visa application for your long-term stay in Thailand.
Check out this website for additional information about Thai Elite Membership and Visa Applications.
4- Certificate of Entry (CoE) or Thailand Pass
UPDATE: Beginning November 1, 2021, the CoE system will be phased out in favor of the Thailand Pass. Please go here for additional information about the Thailand Pass.
Everyone considering a trip to Thailand should be aware that a valid CoE/Thailand Pass is required during the COVID epidemic. The Certificate of Entry (CoE) is an official document granted to Thai and foreign people who are authorised to enter Thailand. It indicates that you fulfill the Thai government’s admission standards and are permitted to enter Thailand.
Foreigners who intend to visit Thailand must establish a profile and register on the Thai government/CoE/Thailand embassy’s Pass site. The Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate-General recommends that you submit/register your CoE/Thailand Pass application at least 5 to 15 days before your intended departure. You cannot enter Thailand until you have acquired your CoE/Thailand Pass, therefore begin the application procedure as soon as possible.
When applying directly at the Thai Embassy, the application for the CoE is free of charge; however, you may also employ a service provider to help you with your CoE application.
5- Thailand COVID Insurance for Foreigners
Aside from the necessary state quarantine, all international visitors to Thailand must produce proof of travel insurance before to departure. When applying for a visa and COE Certificate of Entry, the COVID travel insurance certificate must be given to the Thai embassy and must specify expressly that the health insurance is for 50,000 USD or more and that COVID-19 is covered. The insurance coverage must cover your whole stay in Thailand. You will not be able to go to Thailand if your insurance does not match these conditions.
Foreigners may quickly and inexpensively get a Thailand travel insurance coverage that covers COVID-19. Visitors may purchase travel insurance online with a credit card, and the insurance policy and COVID-19 certificate will be sent to them immediately.
6- Thailand AQ (Mandatory Quarantine)
All tourists, including Thai and foreign nationalities, coming in Thailand who are unvaccinated or are not completely vaccinated must undertake a 10-day mandated quarantine at any of the Ministry of Health-accredited Alternative State Quarantine or ASQ Hotels.
What is SHA Plus (SHA+) / SHA Extra Plus (SHA++)?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the “SHA Plus” Certificate, or Amazing Thailand Safety & Health Administration, is a project of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to control the Thai tourism industry for safety standards to match the new normal way and show tourists that hotels and other services are taking measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, with at least 70% of hotel or business staffs fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Following the most recent modification to the Test & Go program, it is now necessary to book a Test & Go package with the SHA Extra Plus hotel.
SHA Extra Plus (SHA++) hotels not only fulfill the Amazing Thailand SHA Plus standard, but also provide accommodation in collaboration with recognized hospitals for the RT-PCR test.
Booking Bangkok SHA Plus Hotels:
Using a reputable online travel agency such as Agoda.com to book Bangkok SHA Plus /SHA Extra Plus hotels is the most convenient option.
Some of the hotels may also be contacted directly via our website.
However, not all Bangkok hotels are certified as SHA Plus or SHA Extra Plus, therefore before making a reservation, make sure your selected hotel is one of the SHA Plus hotels mentioned below or included in the lists of certified hotels in these main tourist regions.
What If I am Vaccinated? Can I Enter Thailand Without Quarantine?
COVID-19 PCR Test
A fit-to-fly certificate will no longer be necessary for international visitors and Thai citizens visiting Thailand. Aside from the CoE, travel and hotel reservations, and COVID Insurance, they are only needed to give the COVID-19 RT-PCR test, which must be performed and completed 72 hours before their international flight from their country of origin.
Thailand Health Screening
Thailand’s No Quarantine Program, Phuket Sandbox Program, and Samui Plus Sandbox Programs allow vaccinated people to enter the country without quarantine, provided they have a proof of vaccination or “vaccine passport.”
Requirements:
- Vaccination certificate must be completed at least 14 days and no more than 12 months before arrival in Thailand.
- COVID-19 Certificate, within 72 hours before departure
- Certificate o.f Entry (CoE) or Thailand Pass.
- SHA+ Hotel Booking Certificate
- Prepaid RT-PCR COVID-19 test
With the spread of COVID-19, several nations, including Thailand, have implemented additional screening measures and health regulations for airport travel. For international arrivals, visitors must present a printed copy of a COVID-19 PCR test with negative test results, a printed and duly filled out T8 Health Declaration form listing the traveler’s health information such as fever, vomiting, blood pressure, and a list of places visited before arriving in Thailand, as well as a copy of vaccination card if the traveler has been vaccinated to determine the quarantine period.
The tourist must download the ThailandPlus program on a mobile phone, which also functions as a health tracker.
Some airports, including as Phuket and Samui, will now need a semi-complete or full vaccine, RT-PCR COVID test upon arriving for inter-provincial travel.
When Will Flights to Thailand Resume?
Flights to Thailand are now running as usual; please check available flights directly with your favorite airlines.
How to choose your quarantine hotel room?
To make your quarantine stay as pleasant as possible, you must first analyze your requirements before choosing a hotel room.
Before reserving any quarantine hotel room for your trip, it is a good idea to conduct some research. Take into account your budget, room size, and hotel restrictions. Because quarantine laws change often and on short notice, it is critical to understand the hotel cancellation and refund policies before you finalize your stay.
Check out the hotel reviews to receive input from previous customers. Ask the appropriate questions. This will assist you in making your selection. Find a happy medium between comfort, facilities, and cost.
List of Thailand SHA+ Hotels for Blue Zone Sandbox Program Travelers:
In Bangkok
Mövenpick Hotel Sukhumvit 15 Bangkok
Grande Centre Point Hotel Terminal 21
Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Sukhumvit 11
Solitaire Bangkok Sukhumvit 11
Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit
Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok
In Phutket:
Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach
Andamantra Resort and Villa Phuket
DoubleTree by Hilton Phuket Banthai Resort
Wyndham Sea Pearl Resort Phuket
Holiday Inn Express Phuket Patong Beach Central
Travel Advisory for Thailand
Thailand's economy relies heavily on tourism.
The Thai government intends to reopen the Kingdom of Thailand to international tourists with some limitations during the COVID-19 outbreak. Before making trip preparations, it is critical to check news regarding rapidly changing events inside the country.
This website and the government websites mentioned below provide information. Many tourist spots have been shuttered as a result of the latest third wave. Some tourist locations, such as Phuket province, need an RT-PCR COVID test from a clinic, or passengers will be asked to do an antigen fast test upon arrival at the airport, particularly if they have not been vaccinated. The international visitor bears the expense of the exam.
There are other provinces that demand everyone to wear a face mask or covering in public areas or risk a 20,000 THB punishment. Please do your homework on your trip location to ensure that you have a nice experience during your time in Thailand.
List of Countries that may be permitted to go to Thailand (see your embassy for a travel advisory):
- United States citizens should monitor the US Department of State’s website for Thailand Travel Advisory for any travel advisory, news, and emergency circumstances.
- United Kingdom citizens may consult the FDCO website for Foreign Travel Advice Thailand for travel restrictions and news.
- Australian citizens must still acquire government permission to go to Thailand. For Australians in Thailand, news, emergency aid, and other critical information may be obtained on their government sites COVID-19 and visit Thailand, as well as the Australian Embassy Thailand website.
Travel within the Provinces of Thailand
Please plan advance for your stay in Thailand by researching quarantine rules for province-to-province travel so that you may make adequate arrangements for your journey if you have a domestic travel schedule. Your trip to Thailand might take you to a variety of locations around the country.
Thailand has not declared a state of emergency, as was recently done in Japan, but certain local government authorities in some provinces have implemented quarantines or required COVID-19 testing on tourists arriving from red zone provinces. These constraints, as experience has demonstrated, vary on a daily basis. Your travel arrangements should be flexible.
Conclusion
Because travel regulations and limitations for foreigners entering Thailand may vary significantly based on the nation and visitor, we suggest contacting your local Thai embassy or consulate before making any arrangements or bookings. You can also leave your comments in the space below.
